Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-05

csaneurfh ofaMeo fWns . ManydgshSed
naniteblocked mana3On, Standing On Z
sH-ehtiy-wooded cminence In . richly tim
berpd. undulating park. The avenue. which
| led I'M from tho main road, was . good mile
lour and shaded BY tail beech trees meeting
IL s. arch overhead; and winding through
the grounds. now flashing in the sum
| light. now hiding midst the shadows OF the
druopinc silver willows, flowed the beautiful
pfnkthorne river, hortiered with plumy ferns
and tangled hriars, with here and there 9
clump az brilliant rhododendrons. The wild
ducks loved this river, and the swans seemed
never weary OF sailing on its surface; yellow
winter ltlies fi0ated like miniature islands here
| and there, and the prettiest rustic bridges
spanaed II in parts where the waters were
tolerahly narrow. At the far end, under the
thickest shades cf the willows, nestled an old
boat house, all creerer-snlothered and rush.
sentfneled.
=
. It was q gala day for the whole village-a
day Of rejoicing when Judge Vessels came
home to Cranforth Grange. The bells rang
merrily, the banners waved to and fro "Wel-
come, Welcome, " in the soft spring breeze,
and now the carriage dashed up the long
beech avenue. and presently, in a twinkling
it seemed, the children were springing into
their fathers arms and smothering him with
kisses Kindly, generously, the years had
dealt with Daniel Vessels; perfectly happy,
too, he looked today with the arms OF his fair
haired twins twined about his neck and his
left hand resting on his wife's shoulder.
Desiree, in the background, watched the joy
Gus meeting between husband and wife, father
and children, and felt a sudden choky sensa-
ton rise in her throat, an odd, sharp, sick
ening pain seize her heart, almost taking her
breath AWAY, and prayed that she might not
fuint-that she might not make a scene"
"Miss lie Strange-our governess," said
Lady Vessels presently.
And theu-oh, how like a dream it seemed,
meeting the bearded face and shaking the
large, firm hand of Sir Daniel Vessels.
A minute more and the judge, with his
wife and children, were in the library, where
q CHEEKY log fire plazed, and Desiree found
herself mounting the wide oak staircase to
her solitary schoolroom. But for her own
folly, she told herself, she might nave been
queen Of this household to-day. How un
bearable the thought was-how m%addening!
For a whole year she had striven to do her |
duty, and had learned to love pretty, gentle |
Lady Vessels, his wife: but she could not |
meet the judge daily and not betray herself
not let him and others see how acutely she
felt her position. True, he had not appeared
10 recognize her; but sooner or later he would
assuredly discover that Desiree Le Strange,
who flung back his love one autumn eve years
ago, and the Desiree Le Strange of to-day
were the same. Chance had brought her |
here under his roof. Surprising by chance
Ihe died tonight, who would miss her.
And then, mechanically, almost like one
to act in spite of herself, she crossed
The room and unlocked the little medicine
chest which stood on a sideboard. Her eye
over the bottles, and boxes, and china
pots.
It was a very small bottle she at last took
up, labeled "Chloroform."
II have a bad toothache and headache" she
nurmured, with an odd smile. Perhaps this
will make me Sleep"
+ +
"Her own enemy, even to the last" thought
he Judge, looking at Desiree LIE Strange's
dead face with a shadow on his
'wn.
For the features which had not struck him
life spoke plainly enough in death
told him pathetically, better than a thou
words. that this was the Desiree he had
nee loved-the girl who had almost broken
is heart by the old stone bridge.
He had been very busy all these years-so
usy that: the memory of the wears pretty
aughter had gradually grown faint and dim.
let looking at the dead face now, so lovely
nd placid in its last sleep, a mist slowly I
altered in his eyes-for he had loved her
nee with all his heart and soul-and he was {
to the depth of his being that her I
avs should nave ended thus. -Philadelphia I
III -